Author
Topic: Rhizomes? (Read 20994 times)

So I am off to the lhbs to get rhizomes. I live in Minnesota and I am not sure what kind to get. I am not a hop head so high alpha acid hops are not my cup of tea. I like pilsners and blondes but I also want some for APAs. I am getting to different kinds. Any suggestions?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Logged

Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus ViciBy the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the Universe

I have not actually planted hops but did a ton of research a couple years ago. If you soil is thawed, you can plant them now. Mulch them in well with composted manure and get your trellis system figured out.

I live in Northern Michigan and my hops are about 3-4" high right now thanks to that early warm spell we had. I would plant now, but use straw mulch to protect them from any freezing/frost.I'm growing cascade, nugget and chinook, they seem to do best up here. I tried fuggles/hallertau and other european varieties and they didnt grow to well. Stick with domestic.

In my experience, hop rhizomes are very resilient, and can withstand harsh treatment. Although I don't live in or around your area, I do live in dessert like conditions, where the rhizomes have displayed much strength against the brutal heat.

I say plant away. But if you want peace of mind, you could start them in small pots to develop their roots and move them inside if it freezes.

« Last Edit: April 09, 2012, 09:57:50 PM by pyrite »

Logged

If you don't get in over your head, how are you ever going to know how tall you are.

How big around are they and how many shoots can you see on the rhizomes? If they only have one shoot, it grows and then freezes and dies, you're probably SOL unless it has been going for a while or is a nice fat rhizome.

If there is more than one bud per rhizome, it should be fine even if it freezes unless it is a crazy hard freeze and all of them have grown above the soil.

I would check the weather for the next week or so. If you're not expecting a hard freeze, plant them. Then keep an eye on the weather - once they sprout above the soil, if you are worried about a freeze just cover them with an upturned pot overnight, they should be fine.

Btw, I just checked MN weather - there is a freeze alert for a good chunk of the state, so I would wait until Wednesday or Thursday and then plant them.

How many rhizomes do you guys normally plant per hop variety? Ive heard 4 rhizomes per hill is the way to go from hopsdirect, but thats in a farming setting. Is 1 rhizome sufficient to get decent yields of each hop after 3 years or so? What kind of yields do you see from 1 single rhizome after year 1, 2, 3 etc?

Logged

Jason-Head Brewer, Brewtus Brewers in the Shenango Valley. Hopefully opening a brewpub/nano brewery in the next couple years.

How many rhizomes do you guys normally plant per hop variety? Ive heard 4 rhizomes per hill is the way to go from hopsdirect, but thats in a farming setting. Is 1 rhizome sufficient to get decent yields of each hop after 3 years or so? What kind of yields do you see from 1 single rhizome after year 1, 2, 3 etc?

I guess it depends on how big of a hurry you're in. First years don't typically produce a lot. If you're dying for at least a brews worth this year you might go two or three. I've always just planted one rhizome per mound and found that if they make through the first season and winter there's more than enought shoots that come up in year two and after that it's game on.